Adventures in growing up: the latest book in Jackie Hardrick's self-published Imani series keeps the drama of teen angst in perspective.Imani in Never Say Goodbye by Jackie Hardrick Enlighten Publications, March 2004 $15.00, ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m 0-970-62262-7 Whoever said that being a teenager would be the easiest time in one's life, certainly didn't have these characters in mind. The stress of college admissions, the craziness of a first love, the struggle to be accepted by peers, and the pressure of nailing the game's winning shot at the buzzer proves to be all in a day's work for Imani and her crew. This novel doesn't skimp skimp v. skimped, skimp·ing, skimps v.tr. 1. To deal with hastily, carelessly, or with poor material: concentrated on reelection, skimping other matters. 2. on any of the drama associated with being a teenager in today's hectic society. Hardrick does a marvelous job of recreating a true-to-life world that lures readers into the lives of regular "can't-wait-till-I'm-grown" teenagers trying to find a place for themselves in the real world. Sometimes you find yourself vicariously owning Fatima's attitude; wishing you had Imani's talent; hoping you never find yourself in Mercedes's shoes; mad praying for a man like Tyler to sweep you off your feet. The suspense that Hardrick captures will always leave you waiting to see what happens next, but the truth is, you'll never guess. This book illustrates the values that every African American African American Multiculture A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. See Race. youth needs to discover: the realization that sex is more than an inconsequential sensation, true love can be obtained through commitment and trust, college is a viable option for anyone who is motivated, no matter what side of the tracks you're from--and certainly African Americans can be successful at more that just sports. Imani in Never Say Goodbye is not another cheesy cheesy (che´ze) caseous. teen novel. Its characters could easily be found in any urban high school, and any young person can relate to the sage advice presented by feisty grandmothers, hellfire-and-brimstone preachers, and pushy push·y adj. push·i·er, push·i·est Disagreeably aggressive or forward. push  i·ly adv. friends. --Reviewed by Brittiany McCree Brittiany McCree, BIBR's reviewer for young-adult fiction, is a freshman at Michigan State University Michigan State University, at East Lansing; land-grant and state supported; coeducational; chartered 1855. It opened in 1857 as Michigan Agricultural College, the first state agricultural college. , majoring in English. Imani in Young Love and Deception Enlighten Publications January 2002, $15.00 ISBN 0-970-62260-0 The story deals with the hot issues that our black teenagers struggle with today: alcoholism, low self-esteem, sex, STDs and teenage pregnancy teenage pregnancy Adolescent pregnancy, teen pregnancy Social medicine Pregnancy by a ♀, age 13 to 19; TP is usually understood to occur in a ♀ who has not completed her core education–secondary school, has few or no marketable skills, is . A discussion guide for this title is also available. Hardrick is an author and speaker who lives in New Jersey. The next installment in the Imani series is scheduled for release in March 2005. |
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